By Jess Baker
As the 2020-21 financial year drew to a close, Southern Downs Regional Council reviewed its progress in upgrading the Warwick and Stanthorpe waste facilities.
In May this year, the council adopted a Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan for 2021-24.
The plan revealed changes would be made at the Warwick landfill to extend its life, while Stanthorpe and Yangan landfills would become transfer stations.
Stanthorpe was scheduled to close in 2021 due to the landfill reaching “economic capacity” and Yangan in June 2024 due to “the requirements to install a weighbridge in accordance with the State Waste Levy legislation”.
The Warwick landfill will then be the only landfill for the Southern Downs.
The council’s most recent quarterly progress report indicated several key developments had been made in the region’s waste sector between April and June 2021.
According to the report, which was tabled at SDRC’s 28 July ordinary meeting, investigations had confirmed that constructing a new landfill cell at the Warwick site would ensure its continuity.
The council’s current Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan estimated building a new cell in 2021 would extend the life of the landfill by an additional five and a half years to 2026-27.
The report also stated a contract between SDRC and Burleigh Heads-based excavating contractor Hazell Bros had been signed and all civil works had been completed by 30 June.
“Construction has been delayed slightly as a result of wet weather but the cell is expected to be operational in October 2021,” read the progress update.
Civil works were also said to have been completed at the Stanthorpe Waste Facility by Johanson Earthmoving and Construction to ensure continuity, and a long haul shed built by R&F Steel Buildings.
“Works to be completed included the sealing of the road network and concreting the apron in front of the long haul shed,” read the report.
“The project is due to be completed (weather permitting) in late August.”
The progress report also noted Endeavour Foundation had commenced supervising waste services on 1 July this year with “minimal issues”.
Also from 1 July, the operational days of waste facilities at Allora and Killarney were changed from Friday to Tuesday to Friday to Monday and hours were reduced from 8am to 5pm to 9am to 4pm.
Operating days and hours at Pratten, Leyburn, Maryvale, Yangan, Northern Granite Belt, Broadwater and Wallangarra waste transfer stations were reduced from four days a week to three days a week, and from 8am to 5pm to 9am to 4pm.
Warwick and Stanthorpe facilities were kept open seven days a week, but operating hours at both sites were reduced to 8am to 5pm.
